No More Dead Dogs Book

Wallace does not understand it -- why do dogs die at the end of every classic story? When Wallace gives his book report, he can't bring himself to lie about his feelings - the book stank! The teacher feels the opposite and forces Wallace to attend and participate in the town's play based on the book. Find out what happens when Wallace's creativity gets out of hand.

Alan Review

This funny tale begins when a high school football player with the unlikely name of Wallace Wallace is asked by his eighth-grade English teacher to write a book review on Old Shep, My Pal. Humor results when Wallace Wallace, a boy reknown for his unbridled honesty, tells his teacher that this is "the most boring book that he has ever read" because he knew that Old Shep, the dog, was going to die before he even read page one. As Wallace Wallace says matter of factly to his teacher, "every book with a dog on its cover always dies." His teacher, though, takes affront at Wallace Wallace's remarks. His teacher loves the book, and moreover, is directing the school play entitled—-that's right—-Old Shep, My Pal. The play becomes the source for his teacher's punishment for Wallace Wallace's blunt review, and soon, Wallace finds himself assigned to a part in the production. The teacher hopes to change his student's independent mind, but Wallace Wallace has different plans. Wallace Wallace begins to ad-lib, and soon this touching story of a boy and his beloved dog becomes a rollicking "roller-blade, rock and roll" rendition of a classic tale of friendship and love. Young teens will enjoy this story of a young boy who could not tell even a tiny lie. Genre: Honesty/True to Life 2000, Hyperion Books, 180 pp., $15.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Selenia Rodriguez; Orlando, Florida